Wednesday, April 10, 2013
The Hillsborough County commissioner from District 6 talks about the challenges he has faced since being elected and what it's taken to achieve the goals he has set for himself. Sponsored by Grape-Nuts.
About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. Kevin Beckner, elected to the Hillsborough County Commission in November 2008, is a native of Michigan City, IN. Since entering office, he has been a champion for at-risk children and their families, creating the Juvenile Justice Task Force, whose mission is to help at-risk youth become productive citizens within our community. Beckner has also been successful at passing important consumer and public safety initiatives that shut down pill mills and tackled the epidemic of insurance fraud related to staged auto …
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The county has agreed to help pay for road improvements to pave the way for the development that will ultimately house Bass Pro.
Hillsborough County’s decision to approve a $6.5 million agreement to help fund road work in the Brandon area opens the door for Bass Pro Shops to build a new location here. Commissioners voted 6-1 during their Feb. 20 meeting to reimburse the developer for roadwork related to the mixed-use project that will ultimately house Bass Pro. Commissioner Kevin Beckner cast the lone opposition vote. Commission Chairman Ken Hagan has spearheaded the effort to bring Brass Pro to the county. He’s touted the county will spend $6.25 million to help the project and end up with nearly $3 million a year in property and sales taxes in return. The property where the development will be located currently generates about $800 a year in property taxes, Hagan …
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
The incumbent Democrat will serve another four years.
The results are in and incumbent Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner will serve another four years. The Democrat was first elected to the countywide District 6 seat in 2008. Beckner is the county’s first openly gay commissioner, according to TBO. Beckner’s Republican challenger in the race, Margaret Iuculano, is a foster child advocate. Here’s how the county voted: During his election watch party earlier tonight, it was evident to Beckner and supporters that he would win the race. Even so, Beckner was humble about the victory. “I never take any single vote for granted,” he said. “You always run like you're 20 points behind and never take a single vote for granted." So what’s the incumbent going to focus on in his new term? "I'll…
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
County Commissioner Mark Sharpe likely to join Sandra Murman and Kevin Beckner, who also appear ready to support a plan to keep after-school care at Hillsborough recreation centers.
Commissioners are likely to vote tomorrow, Aug. 24, to maintain the county’s after-school program at 25-30 recreation centers. The program’s future was in doubt after a 4-3 vote last month to eliminate after-school care and cut staff at the vast majority of the county’s recreation centers. Voting to eliminate the program were commissioners Mark Sharpe, Sandra Murman, Al Higginbotham and Kevin Beckner. All four cited the county’s severe budget woes as the reason for their vote but said there are viable alternatives for after-school care. Commissioners Ken Hagan, Les Miller and Victor Crist voted against the measure. Supporters of the county’s after-school program took heart from the narrow margin of that 4-3 vote, knowing they need sway …
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Jan Platt, who served on the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners for 24 years, said after-school programming should remain intact unless there are assurances “in writing” that families have viable alternatives.
Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Jan Platt, who served on the board for 24 years, said after-school programming at country recreation centers should be retained if there are no viable options for families. The fate of the county’s after-school program — which serves more than 1,800 children countywide — will be decided by the Hillsborough County Commissioners this month. Commissioners voted 4-3 last month to eliminate the county’s after-school program and to stop staffing — and essentially close — 31 of 43 recreation centers countywide. County commissioners will revisit the vote at a budget workshop Aug. 24. Even if the county’s after-school program is cut there are enough alternatives to pick up the slack, according to Mark …
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Hillsborough County Commissioners Sandra Murman and Kevin Beckner are reviewing the numbers — and possibly their votes — that concerned closing recreation centers and cutting after-school care. County commissioners will revisit the issue at a budget works
Hillsborough County Commissioners appear headed to restore some form of after-school progamming at recreation centers after a preliminary budget vote last month that would cut the offering altogether. Commissioners voted 4-3 last month to eliminate the county’s after-school program and to stop staffing — and essentially close — 31 of 43 recreation centers countywide. County commissioners will revisit the vote at a budget workshop Aug. 24. Commissioners Ken Hagan, Les Miller and Victor Crist voted against the measure; voting for it were commissioners Mark Sharpe, Sandra Murman, Al Higginbotham and Kevin Beckner. A final vote on the county budget is set for September. An intense lobbying effort featuring emails, phone calls, petitions and a …
Liberty Manor for Veterans, Inc.
4:43 pm on Sunday, April 21, 2013
I have cars go by that have patrotic stickers, etc, but we pioneered a program for honorably discharged veterans and only rec'd $19k last year! I procured thousands of dollars for criminal justice...but I witness this struggling non-profit organization and I am in dismay. These are horo's! These are the ones that got left behind. Veterans have already given a service to us! Homeless and veterans … more ›